He’s not perfect. He’s a man just like anybody else, but Pastor Rick Bruckner is truly a man after God’s own heart. I wanted to take this time to give honor to a man who has taught me what being a man of God is all about. Not only as my pastor but as my father in law.

   I first Met Robin’s dad in April of 2004. My Uncle Tommy and I were shopping for my new bible at his book store. We had a short conversation, but nothing more than that. God still amazes me on how he brings people together. Later on he became the Pastor of Friendship Community Church. Robin and I have dated on and off before this but at this point were not together. In 2005 he gave me my first shot at ministry as the youth leader of the church, but this post is about him so lets get to it. Rick has taught me a lot about forgiveness and trusting God. As the Pastor at Friendship he takes so much heat from people, but he never fires back when people takes shots at him. He continues being the man God has called him to be,even when his future son-in-law is the one doing the shooting. He showed me grace time after time. I’m learning from him that it’s better to listen than speak all the time. I’m still working on this and don’t know if I’ll ever master it but because of him I’m trying. The way he loves his wife is how I try to love Robin. He is teaching me the meaning of waiting on God, because of even though he’s been in ministry for a while, it took him 17 years for God to give him a church to Pastor. Yet I have never heard him complain about it. He just praises God. When people are evil to him, I want to seek justice, he just loves. As the youth leader I felt alone in the church at times but he always had my back. When people would ask what’s wrong with Mike talking about my cp, he answer “Nothing, He’s our youth leader.”

     He has believed in me when I have not. He has given me chances to Preach, but what means the most to me is he trusted me with Robin. I pray I’m half the husband that he is.  His heart and character is what I honor the most. I said it a few times earlier but must repeat this. The way he keeps loving people no matter who they are is a living example to me from God. His life is for the glory of Jesus Christ, and that’s all he cares about. I have a long way to go but I thank God for putting men like Rick in my life to show me the way.  I enjoy learning Scripture from him the most, even though I tease him and say”oh yeah, dad your in my top 5 of preachers I like learning from. I pray God will protect his heart and he’ll continue being the man I love and respect. I know he would not want me to write about him, but that’s because he’s humble. I just wanted to give thanks this Christmas season to a man after God’s own heart.